Non-conductive magnetic retrieval tool

ABSTRACT

A non-retrieval tool with a magnet connected a handle by a linkage assembly. The linkage assembly can be adjustable to maintain an orientation or position based on manipulation of a user, and can be made of a non-conductive material to safely operate in electrical applications. In some embodiments, the tool can include a socket portion near the magnet to apply torque to work pieces.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to retrieval tools. More particularly, the present invention relates to non-conductive magnetic retrieval tools with adjustable linkages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retrieval tools are commonplace in automotive or electronic applications. Retrieval tools allow the user to grip or otherwise couple objects to the tool to remove the objects from a location. For example, a retrieval tool may include collapsible jaws to grip an in a claw-like fashion and remove the object when the user removes the retrieval tool from the location.

Objects that are removable with a retrieval tool include metallic objects, such as work pieces. Further, some retrieval tools are utilized in high voltage or other electrical applications where conductivity of electricity is disfavored. Still further, some retrieval tools lack versatility and are used only for retrieving objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises a non-conductive retrieval tool with a handle at a first end, a magnet at a second end, and a linkage assembly connecting the handle and magnet. For example, the linkage assembly can include multiple inter-connected links, with each having a frustoconical section leading to a round section that are adapted to couple with other links, thus forming an adjustable linkage assembly that maintains an orientation and position selected by a user. The linkage assembly can be constructed of a non-conductive material to minimize conduction of electricity, such as, for example, when the tool is used in high-voltage applications. In an embodiment, the tool can include a socket portion near the magnet, for example in a terminal end of the linkage assembly, to apply torque to remote work pieces in addition to acting as a conventional retrieval tool.

In particular, the present invention broadly comprises a tool including a handle and a linkage assembly coupled to the handle. The linkage assembly includes a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle, a mid-links coupled to the starting link, with a first mid-link frustoconical portion coupled to the starting link round portion, and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion, and a terminal link coupled to the mid-link and including a magnet. In an embodiment, the links are substantially identical in construction. In an embodiment, there can be multiple mid-links, linked together, to lengthen the usability of the tool.

The present invention also broadly comprises a tool for transferring torque to a remote work piece including a handle and a linkage assembly coupled to the handle. The linkage assembly includes a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle, a mid-links coupled to the start link and including a mid-link frustoconical portion coupled to the starting link round portion, and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion, and a terminal link coupled to the mid-link and including a socket portion opposite the mid-link and a magnet between the socket portion and the mid-link. In an embodiment, the links are substantially identical in construction. In an embodiment, there can be multiple mid-links, linked together, to lengthen the usability of the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a starting link an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another starting link an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a mid-link an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of two mid-links coupled to one another an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal link an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another terminal link an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another terminal link an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.

The present invention broadly comprises a retrieval tool. In an embodiment, a magnetic end is disposed opposite the handle to allow magnetic pickup of remote objects. For example, a linkage assembly can connect the magnetic end with handle, and can be adjustable to maintain an orientation or position based on manipulation of a user. In an embodiment, the linkage assembly can be constructed of a non-conductive material to safely operate in electrical, such as high-voltage, applications. In an embodiment, a socket portion can be disposed near the magnet, which is adapted to engage and apply torque to a remote work piece. In yet another embodiment, a lug can be disposed near the magnet, which is adapted to matingly engage a socket, which is adapted to engaged a remote work piece. The retrieval tool can therefore be used as a conventional retrieval tool, as a retrieval tool in electrical applications, as a torque-application tool, or any combination of the above.

Referring to FIG. 1, a tool 100 can include a handle 105 and a linkage assembly 110 extending from the handle 105. The linkage assembly 110 can include a starting link 115 coupled to one or more mid-links 120 and terminating with a terminal link 125. For example, several mid-links 120 can be provided and can be considered intermediary mid-links 120 between first and last mid-links 120. In an embodiment, a magnet 130 can be located in or near the terminal link to allow magnetic engagement and pickup of objects, such as metallic screws and other work pieces.

Referring to FIG. 2, the starting link 115 can include a base portion 135 connected to a starting link round portion 140 by a starting link neck 145. The base portion 135 can be coupled to the handle 105 in any manner, such as by adhesive, threads, welding, or any other fixed or detachable coupling method. A starting link opening 150 can be defined in the starting link round portion 140 and allow radial movement of the starting link round portion 140 when a corresponding portion of the mid-link 120 engages the starting link round portion 140. In this manner, the mid-link 120 frictionally engages the starting link round portion 140, thereby allowing the mid-link 120 to be frictionally coupled relative to the starting link 115, and can also be manually rotated about the starting link round portion 140 in a 360 degree manner to a desired position or orientation. The start linking neck 145 can provide clearance between the starting link round portion 140 and the base portion 135 to allow better rotation of the mid-link 120 about the starting link 115.

Referring to FIG. 3, the starting link 115 can optionally include threads 155 disposed circumferentially around the base portion 135 to allow treadable engagement between the starting link 115 and the handle 105. For example, the threads 155 of the starting link 115 can threadably engage corresponding threads located in the handle 105. In particular, as one example, the threads of the handle 105 can extend axially within an internal cavity of the handle 105.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mid-link 120 according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments. As shown, the mid-link 120 can include a mid-link frustoconical portion 160 coupled to a mid-link round portion 165 by a mid-link neck 170. Similar to the starting link opening 150, the mid-link 120 can include a mid-link opening 180 that allows frictional engagement and radial movement of the mid-link round portion 165 so as to permit coupling of the mid-link 120 with adjacent intermediary mid-links. For example, and as shown in FIG. 5, a first mid-link 120 a can frictionally engage a second mid-link 120 b by placing the mid-link frustoconical portion 175 a of the first mid-link 120 a over the mid-link round portion 165 b of the second mid-link 120 b so as to frictionally interlock the two portions. As shown, the frictional interlock between the two portions allows a user to retain a desired position and orientation, while also still allowing the first mid-link 120 a can to be rotatable about the second mid-link 120 b due to the ball and socket-like coupling between the two mid-links 120 a,b. The mid-link neck 170 b of the second mid-link 120 b can provide clearance for additional rotational movement of the first mid-link 120 a, for example, by spacing the mid-link frustoconical portion 175 b and the mid-link round portion 165 b of the second mid-link 120 b from each other. In this manner, the mid-link frustoconical portion 175 a of the first mid-link 120 a is not obstructed by the mid-link frustoconical portion 175 b of the second mid-link 120 b. It will be appreciated that any number of frictionally coupled intermediary mid-links 120 can be used to achieve a desired length and usability of the tool.

The tool 100 can terminate at a terminal link 125 of the linkage assembly 110 and can include functionality for retrieving objects, such as magnetic properties or collapsible jaws. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal link 125 can include a housing 190 with a magnet 195 located inside and extending to a wall 197. Opposite the wall 197 can be a housing barrier 202 that prevents the magnet 195 from exiting the housing 190 during use. Like the start link 115 and mid-link 120, the terminal link 115 can include a terminal link frustoconical portion 185 with a terminal link opening 207 defined therein for frictionally coupling to round portions of other links, such as the mid-link round portion 165, in a similar ball and socket type method as described above.

The magnet 195 can be used to retrieve ferromagnetic materials, such as metallic work pieces. For example, the tool 100 a can be used to magnetically couple to and retrieve screws, bolts, washers, and nuts, in hard to reach places or in areas. The amount of force applied by the magnet 195 can be designed based on the size of the magnet 195 and the thickness of the wall 197 located adjacent the magnet 195. For example, the force of the magnet 195 can be greater with a thinner wall 197 or, in some embodiments, no wall 197 is provided such that the power of the magnet 195 is allowed to retrieve objects unimpeded. As shown, the housing 190 can be cylindrically shaped to direct the magnetic strength of the magnet 195 in the proper location.

FIG. 7 illustrates a terminal link 125 that can be used not only with a retrieval tool but also as a terminal link to a tool 100 that transfers torque to remote work pieces. For example, the terminal link 125 of FIG. 7 can be located at the opposite end of the linkage assembly 110 as the handle 105 and the user can transfer torque to work pieces by rotating the handle 105. Due to the semi-rigid nature of the chain 110, the mid-links 120 can be selectively adjusted into a preferred configuration by the user, and the tool 100 can then be engaged with a work piece at the terminal link 125 to transfer the torque to the work piece.

As shown in FIG. 7, the magnet 195 can be located in a central portion of the terminal link 125 within the housing 190 and may be separated by the wall 202 from a socket portion 212. The socket portion 212 can be shaped in a hexagonal, double-hexagonal, square, or any other shape that is capable of gripping the head of a work piece and transferring torque thereto. For example, the socket portion 212 can be shaped to correspond to the shape of a head of a work piece. As discussed above, the magnet 195 can apply a magnetic force to the work piece and the power of that magnetic force can be designed based on the thickness of the wall 202 and the size and material of the magnet 195. Users can therefore use the tool 100 to grip a work piece, magnetically couple to the work piece, and apply torque to the work piece.

FIG. 8 illustrates another terminal link 125 according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments. As shown, the terminal link 125 of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 7, but includes a square drive 217 instead of a terminal link frustoconical portion 207. In this manner, the linkage assembly 110 can couple to the terminal link 125 with a square drive, and can further couple to other terminal links based on the conventional nature of the square drive coupling mechanism. The tool 100 can therefore utilize interchangeable terminal links 125 that can be used for a variety of different applications.

As discussed above, the linkage assembly 110 can be used in electrical applications where conduction of electricity is not preferred. To that end, the linkage assembly 110 can be constructed of an electrically non-conductive material or coated with such a material. As used herein, the term “electrically non-conductive” means any material that reduces the conductivity of the linkage assembly 110 relative to a metallic material. The linkage assembly 110 need not be entirely composed of the electrically non-conductive material, nor does the linkage assembly 110 need to include metal as the structural backbone material.

The linkage assembly 110 is described herein as being semi-rigid or capable of being selectively adjusted into a preferred configuration. The linkage assembly 110 orientation or position can therefore be manipulated as desired by the user, but can maintain its orientation or position while retrieving work pieces or transferring torque to work pieces.

As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral with another object.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A retrieval tool comprising: a handle; a linkage assembly coupled to the handle, wherein the linkage assembly is at least one of constructed of an electrically non-conductive material and coated with an electrically non- conductive material, and wherein the linkage assembly includes: a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle, wherein the starting link includes link threads that threadably engage handle threads disposed on the handle; a mid-link including a mid-link frustoconical portion frictionally coupled to the starting link round portion and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion; and a terminal link including a terminal link opening adapted to frictionally couple to the mid-link round portion.
 2. The retrieval tool of claim 1, wherein the terminal link includes a magnet.
 3. The retrieval tool of claim 2, wherein the magnet is disposed within a housing of the terminal link.
 4. The retrieval tool of claim 3, wherein the terminal link includes a wall within the housing on a side of the housing opposite the mid-link.
 5. The retrieval tool of claim 4, wherein the terminal link includes a barrier opposite the wall and forming the housing.
 6. The retrieval tool of claim 3, wherein the housing is cylindrically-shaped.
 7. The retrieval tool of claim 1, wherein the terminal link includes collapsible jaws.
 8. The retrieval tool of claim 1, wherein the mid-link includes a neck that forms a space between the mid-link frustoconical portion and the mid-link round portion.
 9. The retrieval tool of claim 1, wherein the terminal link includes a socket portion disposed opposite the mid-link, and wherein the socket portion is shaped to engage a work piece.
 10. The retrieval tool of claim 1, further comprising one or more intermediary mid-links, wherein each of the intermediary mid-links includes an intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion and an intermediary mid-link round portion opposite the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion, and wherein the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portions are respectively frictionally coupled to adjacent intermediary mid-links round portions.
 11. A tool for transferring torque to a remote work piece comprising: a handle; a linkage assembly coupled to the handle, the linkage assembly including: a starting link coupled to the handle and having a starting link round portion opposite the handle; a mid-link including a mid-link frustoconical portion frictionally coupled to the starting link round portion and a mid-link round portion opposite the mid-link frustoconical portion; and a terminal link coupled to the mid-link and including a socket portion opposite the mid-link and including a housing having a wall disposed between the socket portion and the mid-link, wherein a magnet is disposed within the housing, and wherein the socket portion is adapted to engage and transfer torque to a workpiece.
 12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the mid-link includes a neck that forms a space between the mid-link frustoconical portion and the mid-link round portion.
 13. The tool of claim 11, wherein the starting link includes threads that threadably engage the handle.
 14. The retrieval tool of claim 11, wherein the terminal link includes a barrier opposite the wall and forming the housing.
 15. The tool of claim 11, wherein the linkage assembly is constructed of an electrically non-conductive material.
 16. The tool of claim 11, wherein the linkage assembly is coated with an electrically non-conductive material.
 17. The tool of claim 11, further comprising one or more intermediary mid-links, wherein each of the intermediary mid-links includes an intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion and an intermediary mid-link round portion opposite the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portion, and wherein the intermediary mid-link frustoconical portions are respectively frictionally coupled to adjacent intermediary mid-links round portions.
 18. A terminal link of a linkage assembly of a tool, comprising: a housing that is at least one of constructed of an electrically non-conductive material and coated with an electrically non-conductive material; a magnet disposed within the housing; a frustoconical portion at a first end of the terminal link and adapted to frictionally engage a mid-link round portion; and a socket portion at a second end of the terminal link opposite the frustoconical portion and adapted to engage and transfer torque to a workpiece, wherein the housing includes a wall having a first side facing the socket portion and a second side facing the magnet and a barrier opposite the wall. 